Apple tree named 8S2743

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an apple tree and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by its productive and regular-bearing tree that produces fruit that matures under the described conditions in the middle of October at Summerland, British Columbia, Canada. The fruit is large in size, globose conical in shape, with green/yellow skin ground color, high percentage of dark red overcolor, sweet, low acid flavor, and crisp, firm, juicy flesh. The variety was developed from a seedling from a controlled cross between the seed parent ‘Splendour’ and the pollen parent ‘Gala’.

FILED OF THE INVENTION

-   Name: ‘8S2743’-   Breeders Reference Number 8S-27-43-   Genus: Malus-   Species: ×domestica-   Type: Fruiting apple tree-   Market Use: Dessert quality for fresh eating

This invention relates to apple trees and particularly to a seedlingapple tree from a controlled pollination done by Dr. W. David Lane ofthe Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre Summerland apple breeding programlocated at Summerland, British Columbia, Canada.

The Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research facility at Summerland wasestablished in 1914. Originally called the Dominion Experimental Farm atSummerland, the name was changed to the Summerland Research Station in1959, the Summerland Research Centre in 1994 and to the PacificAgri-Food Research Centre (PARC) Summerland in 1996. The tree fruitbreeding program was established in 1924 to provide new varieties forthe tree fruit industry of British Columbia, Canada, and the world. Thebreeding program at Summerland has produced several tree fruit varietiesincluding ‘Spartan’ (unpatented), ‘Silken’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,740),and ‘Creston’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,739) apples and ‘Van’(unpatented), ‘Lapins’ (unpatented), and ‘Sweetheart’ (unpatented) sweetcherries. The tree fruit breeders typically produce several thousandhybrid seedlings each year. Under the direction of the breeder thetechnician, as part of his duties, propagates the seedlings, by buddingonto rootstocks, to induce earlier fruiting, in “seedling” fields. Uponfruiting, the varieties are evaluated for appearance, taste, andtexture. Harvest timing, disease susceptibility and growth habit areevaluated in the field. Promising seedlings are re-propagated, inreplications of four to six trees, by budding or grafting ontorootstocks and planted out as second selections in randomized evaluationplots complete with reference varieties (commercial varieties). Uponfruiting, selections are evaluated for varietal stability, tree quality,and productivity in the field, and for taste, texture and appearance ofthe fruit, in “in-house” sensory evaluation panels. The new varietiesare compared to reference varieties to establish uniqueness.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of appletree which was designated ‘8S2743’ in 2001. The original seedling wasproduced in 1981 and is the offspring of the seed parent ‘Splendour’(non-patented) and the pollen parent ‘Gala’ (non-patented).

-   Origin

‘8S2743’ resulted from a cross between the seed parent ‘Splendour’ andthe pollen parent ‘Gala’ made at the Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre(PARC), Summerland, BC, Canada, by Dr. W. David Lane (See pedigree).Seedlings from this cross were planted in the greenhouse in early 1981,and transplanted to the field nursery in spring of the same year. Theseedling was propagated by budding in place onto Malling 26 EMLA(unpatented) rootstock in the field in 1983. ‘8S2743’ was selected onthe basis of fruit quality and tree habit in 1989, assigned thebreeder's number 8S-27-43, and propagated for second test on Malling 26EMLA beginning in 1990. The second test trees were planted inrandomized, replicated trials in the spring of 1992. In 1993, additionaltrees were propagated by budding onto Malling 9 (unpatented) rootstockand planted in a randomized replicated trial with standard cultivars ascomparators. All propagated trees were evaluated from the time of firstfruiting for yield, fruit size, fruit quality, storage and sensoryquality over 10 years with consistent results. In 1997, the selectionwas forwarded to elite stage testing under the designation 8S-27-43.

-   History of the Invention

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of appletree which was named ‘8S2743’ in 2001. The controlled cross was made in1980 by Dr. W. David Lane. Seeds from fruit of the cross were collectedat fruit maturity and isolated from seeds from other crosses. The seedswere subjected to the required moist chilling treatment (stratification)to enable the seeds to break dormancy in the fall of 1980. After therequired stratification the seeds were germinated in a greenhouse. Theresulting seedlings were transplanted into pots and grown in agreenhouse in the spring of 1981. The seedlings were taken from thegreenhouse in May 1981 and planted in the field nursery at the PARCSummerland. Propagative wood from the seedling was taken and budded inplace onto Malling 26 (unpatented) rootstock in 1983. Malling 26 is usedto hasten the onset of fruiting and dwarf the tree. This particularseedling was budded at tree position 43 in row 27 in a field designated8S. The seedling subsequently fruited and observations determined thefruit had unique qualities of possible commercial potential. Theseedling was given the Breeder's Reference Number 8S-27-43 in 1989. Fourtrees were created by T-budding vegetative buds onto Malling 26rootstock in August of 1990. The resulting trees were planted inreplicated, randomized trial block at the PARC Summerland. Five moretrees were made by budding onto Malling 9 rootstock in August of 1993.The second test trees were planted in replicated trials with standardcultivars and evaluated from the time of first fruiting for harvesttiming, fruit size, fruit quality, storage and sensory quality over 10years with consistent results. In 1997, the selection was forwarded toelite stage testing under the designation 8S-27-43.

Controlled grower trials, under test agreements, have been establishedin British Columbia, and selected research sites.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Trees of ‘8S2743’ produce fruit that is harvested mid to late in theharvest season, and has bi-colored skin (dark red overcolor andgreen/yellow ground color). The apple is a dessert apple(Malus×domestics Borkh.) with exceptional texture and keeping quality.The fruit flesh is crisp and juicy, firm, and sweet. It retainscrispness and juiciness for 5 months in regular air storage at 1° C. Theshelf life of fruit after storage is excellent. The tree is highlyproductive. The growth habit of trees of ‘8S2743’ is upright/spreadingwith ample spur development and moderate vigor. It is not subject toalternate bearing or pre-harvest drop.

Trees of ‘8S2743’ have been tested, under a testing agreement, byseveral orchardists in BC, Canada, and at selected research sites.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic sheets show various characteristics of theapple. variety ‘8S2743’. The colors of the photographs are as nearlytrue as is possible in a color representation of this type.

In photograph sheet I, FIG. 1, typical fruit are shown. The fruit aredisplayed in various views to show the globose conical shape in the sideview, and views of the basal and calyx ends which show some degree ofrussetting.

In photograph sheet I, FIG. 2, 2 typical apples are shown. Thephotograph also shows the fruit cut transversally at the core line andlongitudinally. These views expose the core, carpels, and also show theeye basin and calyx. The fruit shown are close to optimum maturity. Thefruit are displayed to show the top and basal views of the fruit.

In Photographic Sheet II, FIG. 3, a typical tree is shown. Thephotograph shows fruit on the tree at about harvest maturity.

In Photographic Sheet II, FIG. 4, typical fruit on branches are shown.The photograph shows the heavy cropping ability of the variety.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Under growing conditions at the Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre (PARC)Summerland located at Summerland in the Okanagan Valley of BritishColumbia, Canada, the variety ‘8S2743’ consistently has the followingcharacteristics that distinguish it from other apple varieties. Thetrees are moderately vigorous, spurry, and have wide branch angles. Thetree is very productive and regular bearing. Cumulative yield of‘8S2743’ after 6 cropping years averaged 77.2 kg per tree on Malling 26rootstock, significantly more productive than ‘Braeburn’ (unpatented) at42.9 kg per tree, or ‘Golden Delicious’ (unpatented) at 50.4 kg pertree. On Malling 9 rootstock, cumulative yield after 5 years was 75.6 kgper tree for ‘8S2743’, 40.6 kg per tree for ‘Braeburn’, 53.1 kg per treefor ‘Fuji’ (unpatented) and 57.7 kg per tree for ‘Royal Gala’ (patentexpired).

Trees of ‘8S2743’ are moderately vigorous. The trunk girth after 7 yearsfor trees propagated on Malling 26 rootstock averaged 19.0 square cm,significantly larger than 10.9 sq. cm for ‘Braeburn’ and 12.4 sq. cm for‘Golden Delicious’. (Trunk girth is highly correlated with abovegroundtree size.) On Malling 9 rootstock after 5 years, trunk girth of‘8S2743’ was 22.5 sq. cm, similar to ‘Fuji’ (21.0 sq. cm) and largerthan the other standards in the plot (‘Fuji’, ‘Gala’, ‘Braeburn’,‘Jonagold’ (unpatented)). In controlled freeze tests, the tree of‘8S2743’ was similar to ‘Golden Delicious’ in winter hardiness.

The fruit of ‘8S2743’ are large and globose-conical in shape. Fruit sizeestimated in the field by counting and weighing all the fruit on thetree, averaged 267 g over 6 years for ‘8S2743’ on Malling 26 rootstock,compared to 246 g for ‘Golden Delicious’. On Malling 9 rootstock, fruitsize of ‘8S2743’ was 319 g over 5 years, compared to 275 g for ‘Fuji’and 225 g for ‘Royal Gala’. Skin color is 90% dark red over ayellow-green ground color. Color change begins well in advance ofharvest maturity. The fruit have medium stem bowl russetting and lowskin russetting. Russet is more severe in cool, wet conditions. There issome russetting on the lenticels. The stem bowl russetting does notusually break over the shoulders of the fruit. The fruit can beharvested in one or two picks. The average date of harvest over 8 yearswas October 11 (day 285) (Table 1).

Analytical laboratory measurements of the fruit flesh firmness, solublesolids, starch index and titratable acidity are shown in Table 1.Firmness at harvest averaged 19.8 lb, soluble solids 13.5%, andtitratable acidity 0.5%. The flesh of the fruit is firm, very crisp, andjuicy, and the taste is sweet and very low in acid. Trained judgesassessed the attributes of ‘8S2743’ fruit relative to ‘Fuji’(unpatented) in 8 panels over 6 years, ranging from 47 to 92 days afterharvest of ‘8S2743’. Fruit of ‘8S2743’ were judged to have tougher skinthan ‘Fuji’, flesh that was crisper, harder and less juicy than ‘Fuji’,and flavor that was sweeter and less sour than ‘Fuji’, but no differentin flavor intensity (Table 2).

The fruit have an exceptionally long storage life, at least 5 months inair at 1° to 2° C., and a long shelf life. Firmness measurements atharvest, after air storage, and after a 7-day shelf life test appear inTable 3. Although some firmness is lost over the course of these tests,on Day 7 of the shelf life test, the fruit firmness still exceeded 15 lbin all but one instance (Table 3).

The variety was derived from a seed from the cross of the seed parent‘Splendour’ (unpatented) and pollen parent ‘Gala’ (unpatented) made atthe Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre,Summerland B.C. in 1980.

Plant material from the seedling cross was propagated, by budding on M26 (unpatented) rootstock, on the 43rd tree, in row 27, in field 8S, atthe Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre (PARC) Summerland in 1983. Theresulting tree was given the Breeder's Reference Number 8S-2743.Evaluation on the selection began upon fruiting. 8S-27-43 was evaluatedfor fruit appearance, taste, flesh texture, tree quality, andproductivity. 8S-27-43 proved to be a tree that was very productive andproduced fruit of high quality with exceptionally long storage life. Thevariety was selected for further evaluation and 4 trees were made, bybudding on Malling 26 rootstock, and planted out in a randomized,replicated trial block at the PARC Summerland in 1992. The variety hasbeen propagated on Malling 9 and Malling 26 rootstocks and planted outat the PARC and, under test agreements, at other sites. All treesresulting from propagation by budding or grafting have been true-to-typewith no variants or off types occurring. The variety is stable andunique.

-   Pomolgical Charateristics of the Apple Tree Named ‘8S2743’-   Flower:    -   -   Color of bud at full balloon stage.—Pink/White.        -   Flower type.—Single.        -   Fragrance.—Fragrant.-   Fruit:    -   -   Shape.—Globose-Conical.        -   Shape in cross-section.—Regular.        -   Ribbing.—Present but minimal.        -   Side view.—Asymmetric.        -   Size.—Large.        -   Length.—78 mm.        -   Diameter.—87 mm.        -   Average fruit weight at harvest.—267 g to 319 g.-   Skin Color:    -   -   Ground color at full maturity.—150D RHS Yellow-Green.        -   Ground Color after storage.—150D RHS Yellow-Green.        -   Overcolor.—53A RHS Dark Red, approx. 90% of fruit surface        -   Blush.—Present.        -   Skin thickness.—Medium.        -   Skin glossiness.—Medium.        -   Russet.—Present.        -   Position of russet.—Stem bowl and lenticels.        -   Bloom.—Present.-   Lenticels:    -   -   Lenticel color.—White.        -   Position of lenticels.—Cheeks.        -   Lenticel russet.—Present.        -   Stem length.—30 mm.        -   Stem thickness.—3.4 mm.-   Cavity:    -   -   Depth.—23 mm.        -   Width.—39 mm.        -   Surface.—Smooth.-   Eye basin:    -   -   Depth.—13 mm.        -   Width.—33 mm.        -   Shape.—Round.        -   Rim.—Slight Crowning.-   Calyx:    -   -   Sepals.—7mm.        -   Curvature.—Upright to recurved.        -   Shape.—Short to medium and narrow.        -   Aperture of eye.—Open.        -   Eye size.—Medium.        -   Calyx tube.—Urn-Shaped.        -   Stamens.—Median.        -   Core-lines.—Meeting.        -   Core.—Basal.        -   Size.—Medium.-   Carpels:    -   -   Shape in cross section.—Open.        -   Shape in longitudinal section.—Mucronate.        -   Symmetry.—Symmetric.        -   Inner surface.—Slight tufting.        -   Seed number.—Seven.        -   Shape.—Conical.        -   Seed testa.—None.        -   Color at maturity.—Brown.-   Flesh:    -   -   Texture.—Crisp.        -   Juiciness.—Juicy.        -   Graininess.—None.        -   Flesh browning.—medium to strong.        -   Firmness at harvest.—19.8 lbs.        -   Flavor.—Slightly aromatic, sweet, low acidity.        -   Titratable acidity.—0.5%.        -   Soluble solids.—13.5%.        -   Flesh Color.—11D Yellow.        -   Maturity season.—Second week of October, one week after Red            Delicious.        -   Number of picks.—1-2.        -   Storage.—105-121 days in air storage.        -   Shelf life.—Longer than Red Delicious, similar to Fuji.        -   Use.—Eating, cooking, dessert.-   Tree: Trees of ‘8S2743’ have been tested on M.26 EMLA and M.9 EMLA    (unpatented) rootstocks with slender spindle training system.    -   -   Vigor.—moderate on M26 and M9.        -   Shape.—Upright spreading.        -   Spurs.—Spurry.        -   Bearing habit.—Spurs.        -   Bearing Efficiency.—Heavy annual crops.        -   Pre-harvest fruit drop.—Negligible.        -   Precocity.—Medium.        -   Crop.—Annual.        -   Branch angle.—Wide.        -   Productivity.—Very Good.        -   Thinning.—Moderate.-   Dormant first-year shoots:    -   -   Internodes at middle third of shoot.—31 mm.        -   Lenticel color.—White.        -   Lenticel size.—Moderately small.        -   Density.—Medium to high (Avg. 141 over 12 cm in center of            shoot).        -   Bark color on sunny side.—1887A RHS.-   Two-year-old wood:    -   -   Bark color on sunny side.—166A RHS.        -   Lenticels.—Medium number.        -   Lenticel shape.—Round to a Horizontal Oval.        -   Lenticel color.—White.        -   Lenticel size.—Medium.        -   Hardiness.—6A. Similar to ‘Golden Delicious’ in artificial            freeze tests-   Leaves:    -   -   Growing tip color.—Green.        -   Cross sectional shape.—Concave.        -   Pubescence on upper side.—Weak.        -   Abaxial surface color.—147A.        -   Anthocyanin coloration.—None.-   Mid-shoot fully expanded leaves:    -   -   Orientation.—Upright to Slightly Outward.        -   Blade width.—63 mm.        -   Blade length.—107 mm.        -   Blade length.—width ratio 1.7.        -   Apex shape.—Acuminate.        -   Leaf margins.—Serrate.        -   Pubescence on abaxial side.—Weak.        -   Anthocyanin coloration of veins.—Strong.        -   Petiole length.—Average of 27 mm.

Stipule length.—Average of 8.4 mm. TABLE 1 Laboratory assessment offruit quality 8S-27-43 at harvest in different years and differentfields. Values are the means of 10-fruit samples, unless otherwisenoted. Date Titratable (day Soluble acidity Harvest Harvest of FirmnessStarch solids (% maleic Year Field year) (pounds) index^(z) (%) acid)1997 A 281 18.9 3.0 14.5 0.6 A 289 18.2 3.2 13.1 0.5 A 295 19.1 3.6 12.90.5 1998 A 261 20.4 6.0 13.6 0.6 A 266 20.0 6.6 13.4 0.5 1999 A 282 19.84.6 12.1 0.5 B 281 20.9 3.4 12.0 n/d 2000 A 276 21.1 4.4 12.8 0.6 B 27720.8 3.2 13.2 0.6 2001 A 297 18.6 4.0 n/d n/d A 300 21.0 2.6 13.7 0.6 B305 18.9 4.0 n/d n/d C 300 19.3 2.8 n/d n/d 2002 A 290 20.2 3.8^(y) 14.40.6 B 290 19.2 4.3^(y) n/d n/d C 289 20.0 4.6^(y) 14.5 0.5 2003 C 28019.1 5.9^(y) 14.6 0.5 2004 C 273 21.6 3.8^(y) 13.5 0.5n/d no data available^(z)Starch index was rated on 5 fruit using the generic 1 to 8 scale ofBlanpied and Silsby (1992)^(y)Mean of 10 fruit

TABLE 2 Skin Flavor tough- Crisp- Hard- Juici- Inten- Sweet- Sour-Selection ness ness ness ness sity ness ness 8S-27-43 5.7 6.8 7.3 5.84.5 5.6 3.2 Fuji 5.4 6.4 6.8 6 4.4 5.4 3.8

TABLE 3 Shelf life test for 8S-27-43 in different years. The fruit wereremoved from 1° C. air storage, and the firmness measured (Day 0). Afterone week at 20° C., the firmness was measured again. Harvest Day 0 datedate (day Harvest (day Day 0 Day 7 Harvest of firmness^(z) Days in offirmness^(z) firmness^(y) Year year) (lb) storage year) (lb) (lb) 1995273 nr 117 32 18.5 16.7 1995 280 nr 123 31 13.9 14.7 1996 289 nr 117 4117.2 17.2 1997 295 19.1  98 28 16.7 16.3 1998 261 20.4 130 26 19.2 17.31998 261 20.4 144 40 17.6 17.7 1998 266 20.0 125 26 17.1 15.9 1999 28120.9 118 34 18.6 18.3 2002 290 20.2  99 24 18.1 19.2^(z)Mean of 10 fruit^(y)Mean of 5 fruit. The same fruit were tasted in hedonic panels on Day7nr = not recorded

Pedigree of the Apple Tree named 8S2743

1. A new and distinct variety of apple tree, originating from a controlled cross of ‘Splendour’×‘Gala’ substantially illustrated and described, characterized as to novelty by the harvest timing, green/yellow skin ground color, high percentage of dark red overcolor, bright luster, globose conical shape, long storage and shelf life, low fruit acidity, high tree productivity and the unique combination of fruit taste, texture and juiciness which are different from other dessert quality apples. 